Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-18
THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
Annual Report OF Gen. Greedy.
THE INDICATIONS sERvICE-SToRM FLOOD AND COLI
WAVE PREDICTIONS - MILITARY sIGNAIfx0--rUR
CHAs. OF rHR FRRGusoN HousB RHCoxxRNpRD.


The annual report Of the Chief Signal onicer,
Gen. Greedy, shows a lower average Of verinca-
tions OF predictions for the past year than for
eral years past. This is explained by Gen. Greely
on the ground that he has been strongly urged to
furnish special predictions for cities, towns and
corporations, work which so far the ONCE Is un-
able to satisfactorily undertake, owing to the li-
tied time which elapses between the receipt Of the
telegraphic reports and the hour at which the pre-
dictions must be issued to the general public The
increase in the length OF hours in the trldaily in
dications has naturally resulted in q reduced per-
centage Of verification, the diminution amounting
to per cent, but 1t is believed that this may be
compensated for by increased skill and practice
The general percentages OF successful Indications
during the year have been: For weather, 745:
wind 69m; temperature. IA; general average
Signal Ocer, but the reasons for 1t ne has stated
as above.
mended as a means Of notification OF approaching
hurricanes During the current year there have
been l,5l0 storm signals OF all kinds ordered, OF
The bureau has in view the early display Of sig
mails which win not only indicate whether the
storm is 70 be light or severe. but also show
whether winds are TO come from special quarter
and-a matter at times OF great importance
whether the storm center is approaching or has
passed the station.
In order TO meet the needs of the Northwest, and
to comply with the earnest applications from citl-
Zens aud corporate bodies OF great vested values
the Chief Signal Officer has under consideration
the plan OF StatfOn1ng an indications oficer at St
Paul, Minn. This arrangement would enable that
oficer to receive his reports on an average OF an
hour earlier than In Washington, and would fur:
ther enable him to send out warnings of cold
waves In that section from two to i've hours
earlier than is now DONE OF the cold-wave signals
sent out 7S.6 per cent were verified
With relation to floods General Greely suggests
that such system OF river and rainfall stations
might be established as would enable q practiced
fnht tnna n, .rrHAA zArn
certainty, the extent and continuance OF any great
hood many days In advance, SO that timely warn
ings would anord @ ample opportunity for such pre-
disasters.
The report calls attention to the decay into
deprecates The fact ct Only Within the % pas1 eHS.
teen months, 1t says, has any more than perfume
tory attention been paid to this important matter
used during the war. Efforts are being made, with
gradual success TO simplify the models of the old
and cumbersome f1ag-k1ts, and to replace the
ment Reference is made to the good results attend
ing the use OF expert sgnalmen In Gen. Miles CAM
paign and the case is used as illustration OF the
necessity for special training ana drill to procure
officers and men whose services can be relied upon
IN the field. 1t Is said to be evident from the re-
army being properly and eficientiy drilled in n mill
tary signaling there Is not an average OF an ocer
TO regiment who is competent to transmit signals
those who have passed through regular course Of
instruction in direct connection with this Office
"The Chief signal Oficer invites attention to the
inadequate ONCE and storage accommodations for
this service, and especially invites attention to
the new structure, which has never been occupied,
corner Of oath and NJ streets, On square No. Is
(northeast quarter1, the remainder OF which Is
already owned BY the Government. The bin for
the purchase Of this building was fsvorably re-
ported at the last session Of Congress, and it Is
evident that the purchase Of this site. or some
other one, would be matter Of economy for the
the new building, which is valued at from $4,000
1000, while the necessary store-houses and
ditonal sum OF 600; 80 that the total and nnal
cost OF Sumctent accommodations for this service
would Nd. amount ;n TO about si5o0oo, which. ct
q, 500: The present rentals amount 70 $500 and
about 500 is expended annually from the contin.
and unsuitable buildings now occupied By this
bureau. TO this sum OF 5000 should be added
another thousand dollars for the excesses In cost
cupancy OF eleven buildings, Instead OF one: and
also s. 900 for extra laborers and messengers re-
Euireo. owing 70 the scattered ofioes Of the
net annual saving & .soe Snonsh ushnSs moneS SSs
been paid for repairs and extra services entailed
q aAs r. nsSs %sSS tns @
ter the Chief Signal Onicer would be doing 3
ia not c % hs se sSas she
crowded, unhealthy buildings not only materially
reduce the amount or work done under such dis
energies and undermine the physical health Of the
once force. Over one-haH OF the entire force
has long worked on an amount Of air averaging
authorities place the minimum air space compafi-
Die with health % 700 cubic feet. In this case
S sSconomical conscientious Of money. time, and
this Bureau properly and adequstsly